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Government still transport students in open trucks

Despite taking a resolution to cease transporting students using open trucks, Basic Education Ministry officials still continuing with the practice.

The government had taken a resolution to stop ferrying students on trucks after a horrific accident involving Matsha College students in November 2015. The accident left 8 students dead while others sustained serious injuries. The truck was carrying an unknown number of students from Kang when it overturned along the Letlhakeng-Motokwe road near the village of Dutlwe west of Takatokwane in the Kweneng District. The students were rural dwellers and were returning to their various home settlements after writing their final Form 5 examinations at Matsha College in Kang where they were boarding. Police investigations revealed that the accident was caused by a tyre burst.

With the memories of the Matsha incident which left the whole nation devastated, still fresh on people’s minds, government is at it again, transporting students using trucks. Just recently during the BISA/BOPSSA nationals that were held at the Francistown Sports complex, this publication witnessed Francistown Senior Secondary School brass band being transported on a truck after entertaining the guests.

North East Region Education Director, Mabunga Gadibolae admitted that the basic education ministry had taken a resolution to stop transporting students using trucks as it compromises the safety of learners. “Indeed it is true that our ministry has long stopped transport students using trucks,” Gadibolae said. He added, “I am not aware that FSS students were transported using a truck after their performance at the BISA/BOPSSA nationals. Gadibolae promised to carry out his investigations to find out what really caused the students to be transported using a truck. “I will consult with the school head of FSS so as to get at the bottom of the issue,” he added. Gadibolae noted that if indeed the students were transported in a truck that would be an oversight from them as the authorities.